Honestly - if we are deemed responsible and reliable enough to have our children returned to our care - then we are perfect for foster care duty.

Thousands of parents over the years have ridden the carousel and had their children returned to them.

Yet, the "need" for foster carers is at a desperate level and fewer and fewer single or coupled parents are willing or prepared to sign up to be a carer.

It's becoming easier to be a foster carer because the "need" is so great (fast tracking and less stringent criteria) but those willing to take on the job are becoming fewer and fewer.

One day in the near future foster carers are either going to be far too young to really do the job properly - or they will be parents like us.

There won't be a choice.